One Pastor's Perspective

This morning I went to the doctor with Krissy. Today was D-Day, when they read the MRI and told us what was going on . . . It was a nerve-racking experience waiting for the news. The good news is nothing is torn or out of place . . . No surgery in the near future. The bad news is, the knee is still a little swollen, still hurts, and still pops when she does certain things. Dr Denton is puzzled, but his plan of attack includes an industrial-strength knee brace and more therapy. All in all, we got through that visit pretty rapidly.

We then go to the sports therapy place to present new orders and schedule Krissy’s next set of sessions. And, we wait . . .

Then we take the prescription for the brace and go to the brace place. We are the only ones there, only car in the parking lot. We fill out the paperwork and . . . wait. And wait. And wait. After being there for over 30 minutes, they finally call Krissy back. They fit her with the brace and we pay and leave.

I could comment about the fact that we were the only ones there the entire time we WERE there, and there were probably eight different people I saw working there during our stay, and I could wonder if waiting is some kind of hypnotic thing they teach in medicine to calm us down or make us wish so much for the door that we will do or pay ANYTHING just to get out. But I won’t write things like that.

And even if I did, we are still waiting . . . Waiting for the pain and swelling to go away. Waiting for clearance to pitch and train with the softball team again. Waiting for the chance to build some confidence in that leg again so Krissy can start doing all the things she loves doing in prep for softball.

The one big positive is this: At least we are not waiting for surgery!

I watched the first two minutes of the Sugar Bowl last night and thought “This won’t be worth watching.” Ohio State was moving the ball at will and LSU looked like they forgot to show up.

I turned it and figured I would come back and check on it from time to time . . . BIG MISTAKE! As you probably know, LSU showed up and won the National Championship. Again, I really did not have a dog in this fight: I guess I would pull for LSU because so many of my Woodmere folks did (and Jess Dixon would KILL me if I didn’t).

By the way: Christina Plunkett says “WHATEVER!”

The State of Our Church

– Eli Manning has this primate-thing going on. His mannerisms remind me of a monkey when he talks at his post-game press conference. Eli has a tough time with comparisons to Payton. He is no Payton, but he also does not have the talent around him that Payton has. Yet, this year, he is getting it done.

– We are generally happy (at least, MOST of us) when things are going our way. True, there are some who are NEVER happy, but most of us are pretty easy-going when things are going our way. But, let things turn a little and MOST of us will show you teeth . . .

– Thanks to our friends in the global warming department, we seem to NEVER have consistent temperatures for more than four days in a row. This will be evident to all as we have some highs of 70+ THIS WEEK.

This morning, many people had choice things to say about me concerning the UNC/Clemson game. I never taunt people or talk smack . . . I don’t do it, and I don’t like it. HOWEVER, now that it is all said and done, I say nothing . . . Because I don’t have to.

Get it???

I had a dream about a new sanctuary last night. It was not like the one our New Facilities team has been planning . . . Not that it was better, just different. But what thrilled my soul was it was the first Sunday in it and IT WAS FULL!!

Then, in true dream style, I was in a t-shirt and gym shorts and had forgotten to bring my dress clothes. So I had to send Drew home to get them AFTER THE SERVICE STARTED! The bulk of the service consisted of me waiting for my clothes . . .

Did I get them??? Did I get to preach in that new sanctuary?? I don’t know . . . Maybe I will get to dream about it again!

The Boyhood of Jesus

The New York Times reports today that dozens were burned to death seeking refuge in a church due to ethnic violence in Kenya yesterday . . . (Read this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/world/africa/02kenya.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin)

I wonder how long it will be until someone will cry out for US involvement?? Maybe it won’t happen, but I bet it will. In the post WW-II era, people usually DO cry out. The US, like it or not, has served as an international policeman for decades. Put all of the politics aside, that is what is happening right now in Iraq . . .

And if the call comes, should we put aside all of the politics?? Should we help?? If we can make a difference, it would be a shame NOT to help. But I won’t make that call . . . Someone else will, and no matter what call is made, he will be criticized to no end for it. Hmm . . . Seems like being the president is a little like being a pastor . . .

Oh well, we need to pray for Kenya and for the innocent people murdered every day as political and sectarian violence is on the rise.